Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2009 Owner's Manual page 39

Occupant safety
36
calculated, additional protection for the
vehicle occupants. Not all airbags are
deployed in an accident.
The different airbag systems work inde-
pendently of each other. However, the
deployment of each individual system
depends on the type of accident as deter-
mined by the control system in the first
stages of the collision (head-on collision,
side impact and rear collision) and the
severity of the accident (in particular, the
vehicle's rate of deceleration or accelera-
tion).
The rate of vehicle deceleration or accelera-
tion and the direction of the force are essen-
tially determined by:
the distribution of forces during the colli-
R
sion
the collision angle
R
the deformation characteristics of the vehi-
R
cle
the characteristics of the object with which
R
the vehicle collides, e.g. the other vehicle
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an airbag,
nor do they provide an indication of it.
The vehicle may be deformed significantly,
e.g. on the bonnet or the wing, without an air-
bag being deployed. This is the case if only
parts which are relatively easily deformed are
affected and the deployment threshold is not
reached. Conversely, airbags may be
deployed even though the vehicle suffers only
minor deformations. For example, this is the
case if very rigid vehicle parts such as longi-
tudinal body members are affected and suf-
ficient deceleration occurs as a result.
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters
The seat belts are fitted with belt tensioners.
! Do not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the front-passenger seat if the
seat is not occupied. The belt tensioners
could otherwise be triggered in the event
of an accident.
If the seat belt is also equipped with a belt
force limiter, the force exerted by the seat
belt on the seat occupant is reduced.
Belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an
accident, pulling them close against the body.
i
Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect
seat positions or incorrectly fastened seat
belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull occupants back
towards the backrest.
The front belt force limiters are synchronised
with the front airbags, which distribute a pro-
portion of the deceleration forces exerted on
the occupant over a greater area.
When the ignition is switched on, the belt ten-
sioners cannot be triggered unless:
the restraint systems are operational; see
R
the 6 SRS warning lamp.
the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
R
each lap-shoulder belt in the front of the
vehicle.
Depending on the type and severity of an
accident, the belt tensioners may be trig-
gered:
in the event of a head-on or rear-end colli-
R
sion if the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of impact
in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
R
is subjected to high lateral acceleration/
deceleration
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang and a small amount of powder may also
be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that escapes
does not generally constitute a health hazard.
The 6 SRS warning lamp lights up.
G
Risk of injury
If the seat belt tensioners have been trig-
gered, they provide no additional protection
in the event of another accident. Therefore,